3

The Date

Aimi P.O.V.

Imayoshi left me alone for a few days so that I could think about his proposal. I was grateful that he stopped following me around at school and sending me constant texts. Aomine hadn't shown up yet so I decided to stop waiting for him and concentrate on something more urgent.

I had math test next week and needed to do well. No, just "well" wasn't enough, so I looked for help.

Akiko was a friend of the dance club, she was already a senior and very smart. As we got along I asked if she could teach me math in her spare time and she accepted. She would have extra money and I could finally learn something.

I used to have good grades in math but as soon as the letters started to mix with the numbers things got complicated, so private lessons helped me with the exercises.

Akiko preferred to study in cafeterias, she said that the aroma of coffee made her think better, but I suspected that she liked to come here just to eat cakes. As soon as I delivered the money she placed the first orders. Now she was already on the third cup of coffee and the second piece of strawberry cake and I hadn't ordered anything yet because I couldn't eat and study at the same time.

If I didn't do well in math then I wouldn't be allowed to join any clubs, so, yes, I needed Akiko's help.

- So, how's it going? - Akiko placed the cup gently on the table and craned her neck to see what I was doing while combing her short hair with her fingers.

- I think I got it right…? - I said.

- Let me see... - she took my notebook and started looking at the equations.

I hated that part.

- So - she looked quickly at me with her big dark eyes - are you and Imayoshi dating?

I sighed, I had forgotten that Akiko also loved gossip.

- It's just that we are in the same class - she added - and some boys are spreading out that he has a girlfriend who's on the dance club and came to ask me who she is and I have seen you two together...

- We aren't dating... - I took my hands off the table and started to press my fingers - we are just friends.

- It's okay if you don't want to tell me - Akiko smiled and then went back to paying attention to my notebook - he's not a prince, but he's nice with girls.

I nodded in silence, but the tension only left my body when Akiko actually started to revise my exercises. In fact Imayoshi seemed to be someone nice to be around... I don't know, I was still too confused, especially now that Aomine was gone for days.

- You only missed two this time - Akiko looked surprised - you are really getting better!

- Finally! - I said with a smile.

- You just need to pay a little more attention and you will do well in the test - Akiko returned the notebook to me and looked at the watch on her left wrist - I have to go now.

- Oh, of course- I replied - thank you, again.

- You are paying me of course I'd come - she smiled and left the coffee money on the table - see you on Monday during practice.

I breathed a sigh of relief for the first time that afternoon and put my notebooks in my backpack. I got my cell phone to see if I had received any texts while I was studying until something strange happened. I don't think I was alone at the table anymore, because my foot touched something solid.

- There you are.

I didn't even have to look forward. I already recognized Imayoshi's voice.

- What… Are you doing here? - I asked looking around just to make sure Akiko was really gone.

- I stopped by your house and your mother told me that you had gone to study at a coffee shop.

- Did you go to my house?

Imayoshi nodded. He rested his chin on both hands and looked at me while smiling.

- Now my mom will ask me about you the entire week!

- Hey, this is good, isn't it? It means that you will need to think about me to answer.

Imayoshi didn't seem to care about my complaints, he already had the coffee shop menu in hand while asking to the waiter to clean Akiko's leftovers.

- So is Akiko your teacher?

- Yes, we are also part of the club together - I took the last leftover strawberry from Akiko's plate before the waiter took it away and ate it – she's very good at math.

- So do I - said Imayoshi, it was a little cold outside the cafeteria, but he was wearing a simple black cardigan - you can study with me now and I won't charge.

- It's not necessary! - I replied, maybe a little too loudly and nervous, I wasn't able to control my voice - I mean, I don't want to give you more trouble, you're in the senior year after all, must have a lot to worry about.

- Aimi... - Imayoshi sighed.

He reached across the table and took my hand, then brought it close to his face, licking the finger that had a little whipped cream on it.

If a hole opened up in the coffee shop floor right now I'd be the first to jump. My face must have been very red because Imayoshi smiled, but not in an innocent way.

When he let go of my hand I still had my arm outstretched for a few seconds before hiding it again.

- I saw you first, long before Aomine - Imayoshi said.

I turned my face away.

- How many times has he seen you dance?

I closed my eyes when the waiter came back with a piece of strawberry cake and two coffees. First because I was too embarrassed, second because I didn't know if drinking caffeine would be good for me now.

- Let's share - Imayoshi said, probably about the cake, but I couldn't look at it now.

"Nobody saw it," I said to myself in thought. That was my only consolation.

I opened my eyes and looked out the window for the first time since I entered the coffee shop with Akiko, eager to be distracted by any sight other than that of Imayoshi licking more whipped cream.

That's when I saw him. Across the street, holding a package.

Aomine Daiki was coming towards us.

Aomine P.O.V.

"What do girls like these days?"

I didn't give gifts very often. Satsuki never asked me for anything, not even on her birthday and we celebrated together almost every year. My friends also didn't ask for gifts and I didn't have any siblings, so I've always been used to receiving, not giving anything.

But I really wanted to buy something nice now, at least for her.

- Why not a teddy bear?

Kuroko's voice took me by surprise this time, perhaps because I was too focused on a task that seemed impossible.

- It's very cliché, don't you think Tetsu?

I was helping him to train on the days I left school. It was also a way to help me reconnect with basketball. Satsuki ended up finding out and of course she went to our training session today only to see Tetsu, trying to persuade him to go on a date. I just came along because I really wanted to buy something for Aimi, I couldn't go back to school empty-handed.

- I would love a teddy bear, Tetsu-kun!

Satsuki jumped on Tetsu's back, she looked very comfortable there. I tried not to look at both of them too much, especially since Satsuki had already scolded me after training about how I had made Aimi sad these past few days.

I think this was the third street store we had entered. Satsuki liked everything while Tetsu kept his stoic expression, but that only made my anxiety increase.

I was running away from Aimi the last few days, that was the truth, but it was time to change. That's it, I would surprise her with a gift and maybe even I would be able to speak what I was feeling this time.

But of course, that guy had made his move first.

I had finally bought something and Tetsu said he was hungry, so we looked for a coffee shop, almost like we used to do in the past, but then Satsuki, who was so happy before, screamed, and it's obvious that Tetsu and I looked at what had made her so scared like that...

Shoichi Imayoshi was in the coffee shop looking very comfortable, holding Aimi's hand, my Aimi... No... I couldn't call her mine yet, could I?

At first I thought I saw it wrong, but of course Satsuki and I wouldn't think we saw the same person at the same time. Besides, I would recognize Aimi's brown hair anywhere.

- Is that his girlfriend? – Tetsu asked.

It was a silly, innocent question, I know, but I felt my blood boil.

- OF COURSE NOT! - Satsuki and I shout in response.

- Well... - Tetsu didn't look intimidated - Can we eat there?

- Dai-chan - I felt Satsuki's hand on my arm. Aimi had just seen us - it must be a misunderstanding, you know Imayoshi...

- I know - I replied - of course I do.

We wait for the cars to stop to cross the street in our way to the coffee shop. Aimi had her eyes on me in a mix of surprise and shame, but my problem wasn't with her.

I left her alone.

I had left her alone and hadn't even sent a message.

Satsuki warned me dozens of times that Imayoshi had his eyes on her, but I didn't care. Why did I do that?

- Please don't break anything, Dai-chan - Satsuki said - we don't have money enough.

- I'm not going to break anything - I said.

I took a deep breath as I entered the coffee shop and headed for the table that Aimi and Imayoshi shared.

She looked beautiful, seemed to have dressed up for that occasion, her clothes were clean and well lined. A skirt with pantyhose because of the cold, her coat was hanging on the chair next to her along with the backpack. Aimi wore a light blue blouse, her neckline went from shoulder to shoulder, leaving the neck area exposed. Of course, that was the area that Imayoshi couldn't take his foxy eyes off.

I had two options, the first was to smash Imayoshi's face and put an end to the little friendship we had and the second was to remain calm.

I think Aimi would like me more if I chose the second one.

- You are really here - Aimi said when I stopped in front of her. She glanced at Satsuki, who sat next to Imayoshi, probably to create a protective wall for me.

- Here - I held out the package to her. Satsuki made me buy wrapping paper and we made a makeshift wrap at the store.

- Thank you - Aimi said. She was trembling a little and bowed her head slightly.

I looked at Imayoshi, he didn't seem happy to see me there, but like me he also seemed more interested in what Aimi would do now.

Until she started crying.

- Oh no, Aimicchan...! - Satsuki looked surprised.

- Look what you did! - I said to Imayoshi.

- Me? You were the one who came in here with that pose of a betrayed man! - he stretched out his hand on the table and tried to comfort Aimi - Hey ...

- Stop this bullshit! You aren't kind to anyone!

- Are you sure you won't order for anything? - Tetsu said. He suddenly appeared holding a sandwich and a soda.

- And why is he here? - Imayoshi finally noticed Tetsu.

- Tetsu-kun can go wherever he wants! - Satsuki replied, then looked at me - Do something, Dai-chan.

I groaned in anger and took Aimi's hand.

- Come with me. - I told her.

I couldn't think straight there. Not in front of Imayoshi when we were so agitated. And I was happy that Aimi followed me without hesitate.

I counted on Satsuki and Tetsu to hold Imayoshi for me and took Aimi to a small square next to the coffee shop. It was almost empty and as the lighting grew dark it was obvious that this was a perfect place for couples on dates.

Aimi held my gift close to her chest, she still hadn't opened it.

I let her sit and take a deep breath for a few minutes before starting to speak.

- I don't want to see you cry.

- I know - said Aimi, wiping away her tears - I'm just too embarrassed and scared.

I blinked in surprise.

- Scared?

- Scared that you will think bad things about me.

- Aimi - I said with a firm voice - I would never think bad things about you… It's just that Imayoshi pisses me off sometimes and this time it was for real.

She nodded, but it was so fast that I wasn't sure if she had actually believed in me.

I turned to Aimi and carefully lifted her chin with one hand. I said that I would tell her about my feelings and now the time had come.

- I know about Satsuki's proposal.

Aimi looked at me in surprise, but I didn't let her speak.

- I always knew, do you think I'd let her choose a girl for me? - I smiled a little, Satsuki was good at analyzing games, but terrible at creating strategies in love - She only "chose" you for this task because I showed interest in you first.

- You... Did you show interest in me?

- Damn, I don't do this - I took a deep breath, it was a little embarrassing to talk about that, especially when Tetsu could show up from anywhere and say he heard me - but I liked you as soon as you approached Satsuki, because you looked nice, kind, and very beautiful...

I smiled again, and this time Aimi blushed. She turned her face away, but once again I made her look at me.

- I may not be like Imayoshi... I may not always be present or texting you and I think I only saw you dance once at the school festival because of training, but I promise that if you choose me, I can try being a little bit more like him…

- Hum…

- That is, if you want, of course - I hurried to say because I didn't know what kind of answer was that.

Aimi didn't react. She started to open my gift and I wanted to hide my face in shame when she saw the frog-shaped plush wallet I had bought for her.

- Satsuki said you like Naruto and I saw you reading a manga during the break, so - I cleared my throat - I mean, you can refuse…

- It's cute - she smiled as she poked the plush frog's eyes.

- So you liked it, thank God - I breathed relieved - do you know how many stores I went to before I found this stupid stuffed animal?

Aimi looked at me. I had been an idiot.

- I'm sorry - I said.

- It's okay - she took the plush close to her face and brushed her nose lightly over the green fur - It's cute for me. Besides, it's the first gift you give me.

She caressed the stuffed frog and smiled which made me smile too. Geez, what she would think if I asked the same treatment?

- I was not on a date with Imayoshi - Aimi said - it was a misunderstanding, I was here with a friend and he just showed up.

- I believe in you - I replied - but I don't want to say what you should do or not, after all I haven't even asked you on a date yet.

Aimi smiled. Her eyes looked a little more alive, and I liked them that way. I noticed that she was shaking a little so I took off my coat and put it on her shoulders. I was really an idiot for making her leave the coffee shop without her coat.

- You know we need to go back, don't you? - said Aimi.

- I know, but we can stay here a little longer, can't we?

I held out my hand to her, and this time I waited for Aimi to willingly hold it.

- It's okay if you want to go out with Imayoshi first.

- But what if... - Aimi hesitated a little, it was obvious that she was worried about Imayoshi, he had managed to get into her head - What if I prefer him to you?

- It won't happen - I shrugged - do you know why?

Aimi shook her head; she didn't understand why I was so confident.

- Because the only one who can beat me, is me.

Aimi looked at me, her expression said nothing, which made her look like Tetsu for a moment. Until she started to laugh.

- This may work with your teammates, but not on me.

I rolled my eyes and sighed. I was really with bad luck that day.

Suddenly, Aimi got up and leaned towards my direction to give me a kiss. She returned the kiss I gave her after I lost my first game against Tetsu. Aimi kissed my face lightly; her eyes were open so I felt completely enveloped by their brown color.

- Let's go back now - said Aimi, she crossed her arms seemed to be cold.

- You can't do that - I said, completely mesmerized.

- Do what?

My face was burning just like the rest of my body but I had to control me it since we were in public.

- Kiss me like that... Or we go till the end or please don't kiss me.

- Don't rush things, Aomine Daiki - Aimi took my hand since I didn't move and tried to take me back inside the coffee shop.

I decided to follow her since she was trying so hard. I didn't let go of Aimi's hand and I don't think I would let her go anymore.

Perhaps I finally found what I was looking for.

Something very different from basketball.

Hello everyone! I ended up not updating the fanfic last week, but I was very happy with the result of this chapter. Unfortunately it was the last one, but I confess that I really enjoyed writing about Aomine and ended up making Imayoshi's participation bigger than I intended. About Aimi, I tend to develop my original characters more, but as the fanfic was small I ended up advancing many things about her, but in relation to the dance club it was the only club I could think of because it was the extra-class activity that I participated the most when I was at school .

Thank you so much for reading! Time to watch Kuroko again!